HOULTON – Registered nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital on Monday overwhelmingly approved a tentative agreement with the hospital for a new collective bargaining contract.

The agreement was touted as one that addresses the nurses’ key priority for strengthened patient safety protections as well as substantial gains in compensation and other issues that directly affect the recruitment and retention of RNs.

The Maine State Nurses Association-National Nurses Organizing Committee represents some 70 registered nurses at the hospital, all of whom are covered by the contract.

One of the key demands of the nurses was the creation of a professional practice committee, which is a staff-led group that allows direct-care nurses a voice in crafting and implementing patient care procedures.

Jennifer McManemon, an RN at the hospital and a member of the nurse bargaining committee, said in a written statement that the new contract would “enrich the work environment for nurses” in concert with ensuring the professionalism in patient safety procedures through the establishment of the new professional practice committee.

Other key provisions of the Houlton settlement included:

. Assurances that introduction of new technology will not displace RNs or replace RN professional judgment.

. Pay raises of 20 percent over three years.

. Protection of the union rights of all members, including charge nurses, despite recent rulings from the Bush administration.

. Improvements in holiday benefits, night shift compensation and sick leave.